Person Biography:
Dick Shawn, a one-of-a-kind comedian, was born Richard Schulefand in Buffalo, New York, and raised in nearby Lackawanna. His father owned a clothing store, where the family lived in the back room. Shawn's early life was dominated by athletics, and he even won a contract with the Chicago White Sox before being drafted into the Army, where he sang and did comedy in USO shows. After his discharge, he attended the University of Miami briefly before pursuing a career in stand-up comedy.
Shawn auditioned for Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" show, but didn't win. He changed his surname to "Shawn" and began performing at New York clubs, including the New York Palace. He also worked in Vegas and made his TV debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1955. Over the years, he appeared on numerous variety shows, including "The Tonight Show," "The Kraft Music Hall," and "The Andy Williams Show."
In the 1960s, Shawn's film career took off, with notable roles in "The Opposite Sex," "Wake Me When It's Over," and "The Wizard of Baghdad." He also made a distinct impression on Broadway in the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and stole a small scene in the epic chase comedy "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World."
Shawn's most iconic role was as a singing Adolf Hitler in Mel Brooks' "The Producers," which showcased his unique blend of humor and eccentricity. He continued to appear on TV, guest-starring on shows like "The Lucy Show," "That's Life," and "Laverne & Shirley." He also demonstrated his dramatic range on shows like "The Bold Ones" and "Magnum P.I."
Throughout his three-decade career, Shawn played a wide range of characters, from nerdy fiancés to Russian premiers. His most notable film roles include "A Very Special Favor," "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?", "Way... Way Out," and "The Happy Ending." He also appeared in a number of TV movies and series, including "Hail to the Chief" and "St. Elsewhere."
Shawn's biggest fan base came from his one-man stage tours, which featured a unique mix of songs, sketches, satire, philosophy, and pantomime. His most famous show was called "The Second Greatest Entertainer in the World," which included a notorious intermission routine where he would lie still on stage for the entire time.
Sadly, Dick Shawn's life was cut short when he collapsed on stage during a performance at the University of California at San Diego on April 17, 1987. He was 63 years old at the time of his death.
